Method for the operation of internal combustion engines

Abstract

This is a method for the operation of internal combustion engines which is designed to decontaminate the exhaust gases. The method includes: feeding a gasification air stream into a gasification reactor; feeding fuel into the same gasification reactor; combining the fuel with the gasification air into a homogeneous fuel-air mixture in the gasification reactor; and converting the fuel-air mixture by partial combustion into a soot-free reformed gas. Then, the reformed gas is fed from the gasification reactor to a mixer where the reformed gas is mixed with combustion air and the reformed gas-air mixture is fed to the internal combustion engine for further combustion with the result that there is intensive decontamination of the exhaust gases which thereby reduces air pollution. The reformed gas temperature is adjusted low for maximum engine output, and is adjusted higher for lower engine temperatures in order to obtain a reformed gas which is richer in hydrogen and thereby produce exhaust gases which are lower in harmful substances. In reference to the exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine, this method achieves the highest possible degree of decontamination, not only of the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, but also of the nitrous oxides in the exhaust gases. Using this method, the internal combustion engine can be operated not only with high-test, no-knock gasoline, but also with cheap, lead-free low octane, straight-run gasoline which is low in aromatics and olefins, which normally do not have no-knock properties, and the internal combustion engine can be operated with the lowest possible fuel consumption. The gasification reactor operates through chemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst. Optionally, this method may include a return of part of the reformed gas to the input of the gasification reactor. In order to obtain low fuel consumption, the gasification reactor is fed such a quantity of gasification air that the gasification temperature is low and the gasification is soot-free. The reformed gas from the gasification reactor is leaned-out prior to combustion in the internal combustion engine by an admixture of combustion air to such an extent that the nitrous oxide content in the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is considerably reduced. No evaporation of the liquid fuel takes place in the gasification reactor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a method for the operation of internal combustion engines with reduced emission of harmful substances in the exhaust gas, wherein liquid fuel and gasification air are conducted into a gasification reactor at a low air/fuel ratio and mixed, the mixture converted into soot-free fuel gas by partial oxidation of the fuel at increased gasification temperature, the fuel gas leaned out with combustion air, so that the fuel gas and combustion air can be burned in such a manner as to produce an exhaust gas low in harmful substances, and the the mixture of fuel gas and combustion air with which it has been leaned out then burned in an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising regulating the gasification temperature in dependence on the load and the speed of the internal combustion engine in such a way, that a low gasification temperature is maintained at full load and is increased at decreasing load. 
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 and further including generating a stratification charge at the center of the combustion space of each cylinder of the engine and igniting said charge by spark a plug arranged in the center of each cylinder head. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of regulating comprises controlling inputs to the gasification reactor to maintain the desired gasification temperature. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 3 comprising regulating a low gasification temperature by lowering the ratio of gasification air to fuel. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 3 comprising regulating a low gasification temperature by conducting water into the gasification reactor. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 3 comprising regulating a low reaction temperature by returning a part of the fuel gas formed in the gasification reactor from its output to its input. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 3 and further including concentrating the combustion air by means of an exhaust gas operated turbo charger. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 3 comprising using the temperature of the engine as a measure for the load of the engine and regulating the gasification temperature in dependence on the engine temperature. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 8 comprising measuring the temperature of the exhaust gas at the outlet of the engine for use as the engine temperature. 
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 8 comprising maintaining the gasification temperature at a constant low value during high engine temperature and increasing gasification temperature as soon as the engine temperature sinks below a predetermined value. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 8 comprising maintaining the gasification temperature at a constant low value during high engine temperature and at a higher value as soon as the engine temperature sinks below a predetermined value. 
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 3 and further including cooling the fuel gas formed in the gasification reactor before leaning out with combustion air. 
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said cooling is carried out by a heat exchanger. 
     
     
       14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said cooling is carried by by injection of water into the fuel gas. 
     
     
       15. The method according to claim 12 wherein the fuel gas is cooled only if the engine temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.